Epilogue

A year later, we were all back at Karych Castle. The atmosphere was different, though. In contrast to the cold and scheming court of Duke Strahar, Duchess Kharmiya’s was warm and welcoming. That, despite her year of mourning for her father having just finished.

I suppose she had no more reason to love Strahar than any of us, I thought.

She waited for us, arm in arm with Lady Ellarax. Kharmiya wore a black dress that technically met the requirements of mourning clothes while showing off her figure far too well. Ellarax, in contrast, wore a stylish but modest robe. They made an odd pair.

Behind them stood the freshly minted Baron and Baroness Eden. My parents fairly glowed with their new status, and more importantly, the government had to acknowledge them as nobles. It would cut a lot of red tape.

I looked at my beloved king, my mate, my true love, and couldn’t have kept the smile from my face if I’d tried.

“And to think you doubted the prophecy,” I teased.

He laughed, swept me off my feet and into a kiss that won a cheer from our audience. “Perhaps we should see what the Keepers say is in store for us next?”

“I know that,” I told him. “’And they lived happily ever after.’”

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